Chicago Teachers Union President Karen "Death Bed" Lewis gets handed a "Free" third term for 3 years without a vote since she probably won't live long enough to see the full term

Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, who gained national prominence with her leadership style and denunciations of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, won another three-year term without having to run.

The CTU's governing body voted to cancel an election for officers because of a lack of opposition to a slate led by Lewis and Vice President Jesse Sharkey, the union said Thursday.

Lewis' appointment to a third term allows the union to avoid a potentially distracting election during the final stages of contract negotiations with the Chicago Board of Education.

The lack of opposition to Lewis' candidacy also indicates she has consolidated power as the union mounts a populist challenge to Gov. Bruce Rauner's union-weakening agenda.